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The Capital’s Defenders: 212 Years After Bladensburg, Honoring the Citizen-Soldiers Who Answered the Call
Mark Hudson, Executive Director of Historic Congressional Cemetery, and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, Commanding General (Interim) of the D.C. National Guard, lay a wreath at the grave of U.S. Army Pvt. Andrew Coyle during a Battle of Bladensburg commemoration at Historic Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C., Aug. 24, 2026. The Maryland Society, Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard then rendered a ceremonial volley honoring the Citizen-Soldiers who answered the call to defend the nation’s capital in 1814. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Arthur M. Wright)
Aug. 24, 2026 - As America celebrates 250 years of independence, the District of Columbia National Guard and Historic Congressional Cemetery gathered Aug. 23 to look back 212 years—to a moment when ordinary citizens answered an extraordinary...
National Guardsmen Assist in Locating Missing Child
U.S. National Guardsmen assigned to Joint Task Force-District of Columbia (JTF-DC) in support of the DC Safe and Beautiful mission, patrol nearLeDroit Park in Washington, Aug 15, 2026. About 4,500 National Guard members are supporting the mission, providing critical assistance to the Metropolitan Police Department to help ensure the safety of residents, commuters, and visitors throughout the District. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jaccob Hearn)
Aug. 16, 2026 - National Guardsmen patrolling near LeDroit Park were approached by a concerned citizen reporting that their 14-year-old daughter was missing...
Year One: Make DC Safe and Beautiful Mission
Aug. 11, 2026 - For 365 days, Soldiers and Airmen from 30 states, territories, and the District of Columbia have answered the call to serve in the nation’s capital as part of Joint Task Force–District of Columbia. But the story of the Make...
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National Guard News
Washington Guard Strengthens Fiscal Readiness
The Washington Army National Guard hosted the Construction Facilities Management Office 201 Resource Management Course, a three-day course in the Army National Guard G9’s national training program. Instruction focused on military construction appropriations, cooperative agreements and budget execution strategies, providing financial specialists, facility managers and senior leaders from across the country with tools to effectively manage funding while remaining compliant with fiscal law. Photo by Peter Chang.
Aug. 27, 2026 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Financial specialists, facility managers and senior leaders from across the country gathered at the Aviation Readiness Center for the Construction Facilities Management Office 201 Resource...
Oklahoma Guard, Royal Brunei Forces Build Readiness at Pahlawan Warrior 26
U.S. Army and Royal Brunei Land Force, or RBLF, soldiers work together to plot a grid coordinate on a map during jungle land navigation training at Tutong Camp, Brunei Darussalam, Aug. 12, 2026. Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers with 1st Squadron, 180th Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team worked alongside 3rd Platoon, A Company, 2nd Battalion, RBLF to develop land navigation skills in a jungle environment as part of Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26. Exercise Pahlawan Warrior is a biennial bilateral exercise between the U.S. Army Pacific and the RBLF, designed to enhance readiness, interoperability and strengthen bilateral defense cooperation. Photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon.
Aug. 27, 2026 - TUTONG CAMP, Brunei – U.S. Soldiers and Oklahoma National Guardsmen partnered with Royal Brunei Land Forces soldiers to sharpen their skills during Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26, Aug. 11-21, increasing readiness through shared...
Kentucky Guard Prepares Incoming Command Teams for Leadership
U.S. Army Senior Enlisted Advisor John T. Raines III, senior enlisted advisor to the chief, National Guard Bureau, speaks to officers and senior noncommissioned officers during Kentucky's pre-command course at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Kentucky, Aug. 15, 2026. While visiting, Raines also took part in the Combat Field Test alongside course participants. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane.
Aug. 27, 2026 - GREENVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky National Guard hosted a pre-command course for incoming commanders and first sergeants at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center, Aug. 13-16, bringing together leaders from across the state to...
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Leadership changes hands, but the mission continues. CSM Thomas Delano assumed responsibility as JTF-DC’s senior enlisted leader, taking over from CSM Scott McKennon. The ceremony marked the transition in leadership & recognized McKennon’s commitment and service to the task force https://t.co/tquzY7utpD
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Security. Partnership. Purpose. From responding to incidents to protecting people and resources, JTF-DC duties demand focus and the ability to adapt. Different uniforms. Different specialties. One team. @GeorgiaGuard @USNationalGuard https://t.co/T5fGnopCeq
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With thousands of National Guard members supporting operations across Washington, D.C., these teams are working alongside local and federal partners to help keep everyone safe. #AlwaysReady #AlwaysThere https://t.co/gyqQAbP6Tx
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Over the weekend, as thousands of racing fans converged on Washington for the #Freedom250 Grand Prix, National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assigned to Joint Task Force-DC were on the ground supporting the partners who helped make the event safe and successful. @USNationalGuard https://t.co/8fBSIigQQm
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RT @ArlingtonNatl: Tour the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier...Virtually! A new interactive, 360-degree virtual visitation experience invites y…
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An added layer of support! Partnership adds another layer to public safety. By supporting DEA personnel during patrols, @USNationalGuard members contribute additional presence and capacity while allowing law enforcement partners to focus on their authorities and mission. https://t.co/sYL8UU2Q88
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From the D.C. Militia of 1814 to the Soldiers and Airmen of today, partnership remains our strength, readiness remains our responsibility, and service remains the bond connecting generations: https://t.co/ZS1iR66REi @USNationalGuard https://t.co/w0Wt0DydA5
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WHAT A WEEKEND! Nothing Is routine—it takes training!🇺🇸 Behind every safe intersection, entry/traffic control point and helping hand was a Guardsman who trained to be ready when it matters. #Freedom250 #GrandPrix @USNationalGuard https://t.co/yvTmIorJyW
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🏁Mission Complete The engines have gone quiet, the crowds are home, and an unforgettable weekend in the nation’s capital has come to a close. But behind the speed, excitement and celebration of the #Freedom250 Grand Prix was a mission built on preparation. @USNationalGuard https://t.co/Ky90b8VcgF
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RT @SecretService: Thank you to all the federal, state and local partners who helped secure the Freedom 250 Grand Prix and bring it safely…
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Before the engines started, the @USNationalGuard was already here. #AlwaysReadyAlwaysThere https://t.co/zyDYSgdR0J
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🏁 SERVICE AT FULL SPEED 🇺🇸 For U.S. Army Spc. Davian Thomas, service and speed share the same track. Thomas, a @SCNationalGuard member assigned to JTF-DC, talks about his passion for racing while supporting the #Freedom250 Grand Prix. 🏎️🇺🇸 @USNationalGuard https://t.co/mn4zV9nkYt
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🏁For 250 years, America has moved forward. This weekend, we celebrate just how fast.🇺🇸 Guardsmen assigned to JTF-DC are providing security assistance as thousands of racing fans converge on the District amid the #Freedom250 Grand Prix! @USNationalGuard https://t.co/haSJ83wa5A
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RT @FBIWFO: This morning, @FBIDirectorKash visited #FBIWFO's command post for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. 🏎️Our National Capital Response S…
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18.6 Miles. 24 Pounds. One Standard: Finish. Resilience isn’t built when the road is easy—it’s forged when your body tells you to stop and your mind decides to keep moving. @USNationalGuard https://t.co/NNRzfgKGo2
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Train. Prepare. Stay ready. Readiness is built before the mission begins. Every repetition, every movement and every skill refined strengthens the ability to respond when it matters most. #DCSafe #Freedom250 @AKNationalGuard @USNationalGuard https://t.co/d6fuhsTQSc
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RT @FBIWFO: Washington, D.C., is a #NoDroneZone, so unauthorized drone activity is a red flag — even during special events like the Freedom…
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“Iron sharpens iron.” Whether in uniform or in the air, Airman 1st Class Bianka Hendricks values working with people toward a common purpose—and becoming stronger through those relationships. @USNationalGuard @GeorgiaGuard https://t.co/DtcoOQNfqt
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#Readiness is the ability to care for, support and protect our Guardsmen! Congrats to U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Powell, @SCNationalGuard Religious Affairs Specialist, on receiving the 2026 Military Chaplains Association Calvin P. Titus Award. https://t.co/ixPua2mBU5
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Vigilance in action. Awareness with purpose. In a busy destination like The Wharf, where thousands of people live, work and gather, vigilance and awareness help turn presence into preparedness. Stay alert. Stay engaged. Stay ready. Every patrol has purpose.🇵🇷🇺🇸#DCSafe https://t.co/D14CkLhoqE
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Commanding General
                                        
Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II
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